A charger including a class E power driver, a frequency-shift keying (“FSK”) module, and a processor. The processor can receive data relating to the operation of the class E power driver and can control the class E power driver based on the received data relating to the operation of the class E power driver. The processor can additionally control the FSK module to modulate the natural frequency of the class E power transformer to thereby allow the simultaneous recharging of an implantable device and the transmission of data to the implantable device. The processor can additionally compensate for propagation delays by adjusting switching times.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A charger comprising: a charging coil magnetically coupleable with an implantable device to recharge the implantable device; a class E driver electrically connected to the charging coil, wherein the class E driver comprises: a switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit is switched by application of a first voltage to the switching circuit; and a current sensor positioned to sense a current passing through the charging coil; and a processor electrically connected to the class E driver to receive data indicative of the current passing through the charging coil and electrically connected to the class E driver to control the switching circuit via the application of the first voltage to the switching circuit, wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to receive data indicative of the current passing through the charging coil and control the switching circuit in response to the received data to adjust a drive frequency of the class E driver based on the zero crossing time.
A charger recharges an implantable device via a charging coil. A Class E driver circuit, connected to the coil, powers it. This driver includes a switching circuit controlled by applying a voltage. A current sensor measures the current flowing through the charging coil. A processor monitors the coil current via the sensor and controls the switching circuit by adjusting the applied voltage. Based on the zero-crossing time of the current, the processor adjusts the drive frequency of the Class E driver. Essentially, the charger dynamically adjusts its power output frequency based on real-time current measurements from the charging coil to optimize charging.
2. The charger of claim 1 , wherein the switching circuit comprises a transistor.
The charger described previously uses a transistor as the switching circuit within the Class E driver. Specifically, the charger recharges an implantable device via a charging coil, powered by a Class E driver. This driver includes the transistor, controlled by a voltage. A current sensor measures the current flowing through the charging coil. A processor monitors the coil current and controls the transistor by adjusting the applied voltage. The processor adjusts the drive frequency of the Class E driver based on the zero-crossing time of the charging coil current.
3. The charger of claim 2 , wherein the transistor comprises a MOSFET.
The charger from the previous descriptions uses a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) as the transistor in the switching circuit. The charger recharges an implantable device via a charging coil, powered by a Class E driver. The driver uses a MOSFET, controlled by voltage. A current sensor measures the current in the charging coil. A processor monitors the coil current, controls the MOSFET by adjusting the applied voltage, and adjusts the Class E driver's frequency based on the current's zero-crossing time.
4. The charger of claim 3 , wherein the processor is electrically connected to the class E driver to receive data indicative of a second voltage of the switching circuit.
In addition to monitoring the charging coil current, as described previously, the charger's processor also monitors a second voltage associated with the switching circuit (MOSFET). The charger recharges an implantable device via a charging coil, powered by a Class E driver. The driver uses a MOSFET, controlled by voltage. A current sensor measures the current in the charging coil. The processor monitors both the coil current *and* a voltage of the MOSFET, and controls the MOSFET by adjusting the applied voltage.
5. The charger of claim 4 , wherein the processor is further controllable according to stored instructions to: receive data indicative of the second voltage of the switching circuit; and control the switching circuit in response to the received data indicative of the second voltage of the switching circuit.
The processor, besides receiving data indicative of the MOSFET voltage, also uses this voltage information to control the switching circuit. The charger monitors both the charging coil current *and* a voltage of the MOSFET, and the processor's control of the MOSFET is directly responsive to the measured MOSFET voltage, in addition to the charging current measurements that determine the Class E driver's frequency.
6. The charger of claim 4 , wherein the second voltage is measured at a drain of the switching circuit and wherein the first voltage is applied to a gate of the switching circuit.
The charger measures the second voltage at the drain of the switching MOSFET, while the control voltage (first voltage) is applied to the gate of the MOSFET. The processor monitors the drain voltage of the MOSFET and controls the gate voltage. Adjustments to the gate voltage affect the switching behavior of the MOSFET. The first voltage is what switches the MOSFET.
7. The charger of claim 6 , wherein the processor is electrically connected to the class E driver via a voltage divider comprising a first resistor and a second resistor.
The charger uses a voltage divider (two resistors) to connect the processor to the Class E driver for measuring the drain voltage of the MOSFET. This voltage divider scales down the drain voltage to a level suitable for the processor's input. This protects the processor from being damaged by high voltage and to measure it accurately.
8. The charger of claim 1 , wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to: sense a power switching transistor voltage; and determine whether to adjust a first frequency with which the first voltage is applied to the switching circuit, wherein the adjustment of the first frequency mitigates one or several propagation delays.
The processor monitors the voltage of the power switching transistor (MOSFET) and decides whether to adjust the switching frequency. This adjustment aims to compensate for propagation delays within the circuit. By observing the MOSFET voltage, the processor dynamically adjusts the switching frequency to mitigate timing-related issues.
9. The charger of claim 8 , wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to retrieve a stored value identifying a second frequency with which the first voltage is applied based on the sensed power switching transistor voltage.
When the processor decides to adjust the switching frequency (as previously described), it retrieves a stored frequency value based on the sensed MOSFET voltage. The processor has a lookup table or similar mechanism that maps specific MOSFET voltage levels to corresponding frequency values, using this information to adjust the voltage.
10. The charger of claim 9 , wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to compare the retrieved stored value identifying the second frequency with which the first voltage is applied to one or several frequency limits.
Before applying the retrieved frequency, the processor compares it against predefined frequency limits. This prevents the charger from operating outside of its safe or optimal frequency range. The frequency limits act as boundaries to ensure stable operation.
11. The charger of claim 10 , wherein the first frequency is set to the second frequency if the second frequency does not exceed the one or several frequency limits.
If the retrieved frequency is within the frequency limits, the processor sets the actual switching frequency to the retrieved value. This ensures that the charger operates at the desired frequency based on the MOSFET voltage, as long as it is within the acceptable range.
12. The charger of claim 10 , wherein when the second frequency exceeds one of the one or several frequency limits, the first frequency is set to the exceeded one of the one or several frequency limits.
If the retrieved frequency exceeds one of the frequency limits, the processor sets the switching frequency to the exceeded limit. This prevents the charger from operating at a frequency beyond its safe or optimal range, sacrificing ideal performance for stable operation.
13. The charger of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a table identifying a plurality of frequencies for controlling the switching circuit.
The processor uses a table to determine the frequencies used to control the switching circuit. This table contains a range of frequencies, and the processor selects the appropriate frequency from the table based on operating conditions.
14. The charger of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a table identifying a plurality of durations of time for which the switching circuit is closed.
Instead of frequencies, the processor uses a table to determine the duration of time for which the switching circuit is closed (on-time). The processor selects an appropriate on-time from the table based on operating conditions.
15. The charger of claim 1 , wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to receive first data indicative of a first voltage and second data indicative of a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is the voltage at the switching circuit at the time of switching of the switching circuit, and wherein the second voltage is the voltage at the switching circuit after the switching of the switching circuit.
A charger system includes a switching circuit and a processor that monitors and controls the switching circuit to regulate power delivery. The processor is configured to receive voltage data from the switching circuit, specifically capturing the voltage at the time of switching and the voltage immediately after switching. This allows the processor to analyze voltage changes during switching events, enabling precise control of the switching circuit to optimize power transfer efficiency and stability. The system may also include additional features such as current sensing, temperature monitoring, and adaptive switching algorithms to further enhance performance. The processor uses the voltage data to adjust switching timing, duty cycles, or other parameters to maintain safe and efficient operation under varying load conditions. This approach improves energy conversion efficiency, reduces power loss, and ensures reliable charging performance. The system is particularly useful in fast-charging applications where precise voltage and current control are critical to prevent overheating and ensure device safety.
16. The charger of claim 15 , wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to compare the first data and the second data, and wherein the processor is configured to adjust a frequency of switching of the switching circuit based on the comparison of the first data and the second data.
The processor compares the voltage readings taken immediately before and after the switching event. Based on this comparison, the processor adjusts the switching frequency. This feedback loop allows for dynamic optimization of the switching behavior.
17. The charger of claim 1 , wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to receive first data indicative of a first voltage and second data indicative of a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is the voltage at the switching circuit before the time of switching of the switching circuit, and wherein the second voltage is the voltage at the switching circuit after the switching of the switching circuit.
The processor receives two voltage readings: one shortly before the switching circuit switches (first voltage) and another shortly after the switch (second voltage). These voltages provide information about the switching behavior of the circuit.
18. The charger of claim 17 , wherein the processor is controllable according to stored instructions to compare the first data and the second data, and wherein the processor is configured to adjust a frequency of switching of the switching circuit based on the comparison of the first data and the second data.
The processor compares the voltage readings taken shortly before and after the switching event. Based on this comparison, the processor adjusts the switching frequency. This feedback loop allows for dynamic optimization of the switching behavior.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
July 29, 2014
October 3, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.